New pads and rotors, weird space between pad and rotor

Orange Peel · Tue, Apr-03-2012, 02:06:08 AM

Hi all, I just installed new Stoptech rotors and Centric pads and I have a weird issue. It looks like there's a gap between the top 90% of the pad and the rotor. I looked over the pads and rotors carefully before installing and I didn't see any indication of a driver or passenger side. I could have missed it but both sides look the same (driver and passenger). The Centric pad box said "pads with shims" but I didn't see any shims in the box, not sure if it's referring to the backing plates for the pads or what.

I just installed the fronts, did I possibly do something wrong? I have done countless brake jobs and this one went perfectly smooth up to this point. Not sure what is going on, when I brake I don't know if the whole pad touches the rotor or not. From what I can see it doesn't seem like it is, you will notice the groove line starting on the drivers side pics below.

There's no abnormal noise, vibration, dragging sound, etc. I think it could stop a little better but not sure.

Am I freaking out or is this normal? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Pics of the passenger front setup:

Pics of the driver side front setup:

RedM3/4 · Tue, Apr-03-2012, 02:24:13 AM

have you applied brake pedal pressure yet? If you haven't, it will likely fix itself. If you have, you'll need to remove the caliper to see what isn't lined up correctly.

ADS

lmtfi · Tue, Apr-03-2012, 02:29:44 AM

Did you bed them?

Orange Peel · Tue, Apr-03-2012, 03:32:44 AM

Red - yes I have pressed the pedal and driven the car. It stops but not as well as it should for sure. Everything should be lined up, it went together perfectly, not sure why that gap is there though.

Lmtfi - I didn't bed them completely, I want to try to do it right and harder but I'm worried with the gap.

Str8///Left · Tue, Apr-03-2012, 03:38:11 AM

It's normal. They're chamfered to prevent squeak.

Orange Peel · Tue, Apr-03-2012, 05:26:44 AM

Ok, so I said screw it and went and did a hard bed procedure to see if it helps. The car definitely stops ok, doesn't make any noise and it looks like the outside pad it working/hitting the rotor under braking. Here are some pics after my bed procedure, am I just being paranoid? Do the rotors look like the pad is hitting it fully?

Passenger side:

Drivers side:

m3new · Tue, Apr-03-2012, 01:28:36 PM

Hey,

I posted up EXACTLY the same thing about 2 weeks ago...mine are the same as yours...

its fine but as you can see its going to take a while for our brakes to bed in completely, mine are pretty crap atm. Have to wear the inner side of the pad that looks like its touching the rotor...then we will be fine..mine below....

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=400703

curiouz_g · Tue, Apr-03-2012, 02:28:24 PM

Just installed stoptech rotors and stoptech pads on Friday and they were the same way. Bedded them, drove about 500 miles in 2 days to go on a road trip, and they look much better now. Don't worry, its normal. Atleast you didn't strip the screw holding the rotors or have to buy a new driver side brake caliper like I did.

Braymond141 · Tue, Apr-03-2012, 04:08:48 PM

You're just seeing the tapered edge, not the actual contact area. New pads are not flat throughout on the bottom.

Tarmac_E36_M3 · Tue, Apr-03-2012, 04:15:09 PM

At least yours dont squeak ridiculously loud when you brake... at least my rears do. I really need to find different pads! Whatever the rotora 4 pots (rear) came with is way more of an aggressive pad than I thought.

Tue, Apr-03-2012, 02:06:08 AM	#1
Orange Peel Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 33 Posts: 177 In the garage: '04 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Gilbert, AZ	New pads and rotors, weird space between pad and rotor Hi all, I just installed new Stoptech rotors and Centric pads and I have a weird issue. It looks like there's a gap between the top 90% of the pad and the rotor. I looked over the pads and rotors carefully before installing and I didn't see any indication of a driver or passenger side. I could have missed it but both sides look the same (driver and passenger). The Centric pad box said "pads with shims" but I didn't see any shims in the box, not sure if it's referring to the backing plates for the pads or what. I just installed the fronts, did I possibly do something wrong? I have done countless brake jobs and this one went perfectly smooth up to this point. Not sure what is going on, when I brake I don't know if the whole pad touches the rotor or not. From what I can see it doesn't seem like it is, you will notice the groove line starting on the drivers side pics below. There's no abnormal noise, vibration, dragging sound, etc. I think it could stop a little better but not sure. Am I freaking out or is this normal? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Pics of the passenger front setup: Pics of the driver side front setup: __________________ Scott 2004 ///M3 Alpine White/Cinnamon SMG - My Garage 2nd car - 1999 Hugger Orange Camaro SS

Tue, Apr-03-2012, 02:24:13 AM	#2
RedM3/4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 5,256 Reputation: 0	Re: New pads and rotors, weird space between pad and rotor have you applied brake pedal pressure yet? If you haven't, it will likely fix itself. If you have, you'll need to remove the caliper to see what isn't lined up correctly. ADS __________________ 98 M3/4, Supersprint catback, UUC red tranny mounts, Rogue SS w/UUC dual selector rod, wired V1. Sold to my son, still in the family! 06 SMG/ZCP - April 09, Dinan over Konis, RAC RG63, homelink with off-delay (working), multifunction steering wheel buttons, RacingBrake Front kit.

Tue, Apr-03-2012, 02:29:44 AM	#3
lmtfi Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 5,064 Reputation: 0	Re: New pads and rotors, weird space between pad and rotor Did you bed them? __________________

Tue, Apr-03-2012, 03:32:44 AM	#4
Orange Peel Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 33 Posts: 177 In the garage: '04 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Gilbert, AZ	Re: New pads and rotors, weird space between pad and rotor Red - yes I have pressed the pedal and driven the car. It stops but not as well as it should for sure. Everything should be lined up, it went together perfectly, not sure why that gap is there though. Lmtfi - I didn't bed them completely, I want to try to do it right and harder but I'm worried with the gap. __________________ Scott 2004 ///M3 Alpine White/Cinnamon SMG - My Garage 2nd car - 1999 Hugger Orange Camaro SS

Tue, Apr-03-2012, 03:38:11 AM	#5
Str8///Left Leave the others behind. Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 898 Reputation: 0 Location: SF, NorCal	Re: New pads and rotors, weird space between pad and rotor It's normal. They're chamfered to prevent squeak. __________________

Tue, Apr-03-2012, 05:26:44 AM	#6
Orange Peel Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 33 Posts: 177 In the garage: '04 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Gilbert, AZ	Re: New pads and rotors, weird space between pad and rotor Ok, so I said screw it and went and did a hard bed procedure to see if it helps. The car definitely stops ok, doesn't make any noise and it looks like the outside pad it working/hitting the rotor under braking. Here are some pics after my bed procedure, am I just being paranoid? Do the rotors look like the pad is hitting it fully? Passenger side: Drivers side: __________________ Scott 2004 ///M3 Alpine White/Cinnamon SMG - My Garage 2nd car - 1999 Hugger Orange Camaro SS

Tue, Apr-03-2012, 01:28:36 PM	#7
m3new Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 292 Reputation: 0	Re: New pads and rotors, weird space between pad and rotor Hey, I posted up EXACTLY the same thing about 2 weeks ago...mine are the same as yours... its fine but as you can see its going to take a while for our brakes to bed in completely, mine are pretty crap atm. Have to wear the inner side of the pad that looks like its touching the rotor...then we will be fine..mine below.... http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=400703 Last edited by m3new; Tue, Apr-03-2012 at 01:40:43 PM.

Tue, Apr-03-2012, 02:28:24 PM	#8
curiouz_g Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 690 Reputation: 0	Re: New pads and rotors, weird space between pad and rotor Just installed stoptech rotors and stoptech pads on Friday and they were the same way. Bedded them, drove about 500 miles in 2 days to go on a road trip, and they look much better now. Don't worry, its normal. Atleast you didn't strip the screw holding the rotors or have to buy a new driver side brake caliper like I did.

Tue, Apr-03-2012, 04:08:48 PM	#9
Braymond141 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 15,480 Reputation: 0	Re: New pads and rotors, weird space between pad and rotor You're just seeing the tapered edge, not the actual contact area. New pads are not flat throughout on the bottom.

Tue, Apr-03-2012, 04:15:09 PM	#10
Tarmac_E36_M3 If it ain't lightweight, it ain't the right weight. Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 3,002 In the garage: '95 BMW M3 '03 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: LA/OC/SD	Re: New pads and rotors, weird space between pad and rotor At least yours dont squeak ridiculously loud when you brake... at least my rears do. I really need to find different pads! Whatever the rotora 4 pots (rear) came with is way more of an aggressive pad than I thought. __________________ Current: 1969 Ford Mustang Coupe; 351w (5.8L) carb engine; Champion 4 row radiator; Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake Manifold; Edelbrock 750 CFM Carb; 15" Cragar Wheels; 215/60-15 front tires, 255/60-15 rear tires; Doug Tri-Y Headers; Custom 2.5" Dual Side Exit Exhaust w/Xpipe; MSD 6AL; Electric Fuel Pump; March Performance U/D Pulley Set; Monte Carlo Bar; 3200 lbs. 1995 M3; single 3" exhaust after cats; CF hood; Apex ARC-8 17x9" wheels; Conti DW 245 square; BC Racing Coilovers. SOLD: E46 M3 SMG; Intrax coilovers; ACPT CF DS; SS V1 Headers/Section 1; Zionsville Type 17 kit; VAC Ultra light pulley set; BMW MS 4.10; Evolve-R Tune; 2980 lbs.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode